SpeakOut Autumn 2022

of SpeakOut

Meet the Editorial Team

KATIE(EDITOR)

SAM(ASSISTANT EDITOR)

WANT TO SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT? We do!

DAMIEN(ASSISTANT EDITOR)

SUSIE (ASSISTANT EDITOR)

MELISSA(ASSISTANT EDITOR)

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South Lanarkshire Summer Bonanza

This Summer, the South Lanarkshire team ran a jampacked summer programme, and we caught up with Coordinator Callum to find out exactly what our South Lanarkshire members had been getting up to.

Thanks to some funding from South Lanarkshire council, our team were able support Care Experienced people to take part in activities throughout the summer and generally have a nice time. Some of our members were able to use the money to do some things of their own choosing like pay for train fares to go on trips with friends, others spent a day at the skate park, and we were also able to support someone to take a trip to Newcastle.

We also organised a group trip to M&D’s theme park and bowling. One of our most popular trips with members was to something called a Rage Room. This is where you get all kitted out in protective gear and then you go into a room with lots of fragile items, which you then get to

smash to pieces. Although it was very controlled, I think we all let out some frustrations and left feeling very Zen!

together in Hamilton on what ended up being the hottest day of the year, for football games, music, arts & crafts as well as baking and so much more.

The final part of the summer programme was the ‘Pan Lan Fun Day’ – a day of fun and games for Care Experienced people from across all of Lanarkshire. We ran this alongside our North Lanarkshire team with support from both the Fire Service and Police Scotland. Over 200 Care Experienced people came

We made sure there was something for everyone and enjoyed watching our members have one last blow out as summer drew to a close.

Overall, 502 young people took part in the South Lanarkshire summer programme. We loved seeing our members relax and enjoy themselves and we can’t wait to see many of you all again this Care Experienced Week!

East Lothian Champs Prioritise on Residential

Beth Catchpole, Participation Assistant

As part of East Lothian Champions Board summer programme, we joined up with Columba 1400 to create the Champs Columba Residential. On the 4th of July we travelled out to Pilton Retreats Ratho which was our home for 3 nights and 4 days, some of our Ambassadors kindly joined us on our residential and even stayed for a night to build relationships and support our Champs.

The purpose of our residential was to reconnect as a group after going through the Covid pandemic and only being able to connect online for the last 2 years. We also looked at our priorities. At the moment, we have six priorities which are - housing, finance, keeping loved ones together, police, health and education. For each priority we have asks that we would like our Ambassadors to act upon as much as possible. Every quarter we hold our Progress Update Meeting to get updates about our asks from our Ambassadors and to see if they have any actions for us. The residential allowed us to refresh our asks within each priority and we’re really excited to see what our Ambassadors can do. Throughout the residential, Columba 1400 helped led us on team building games and supported us to work on our individual values

and our values as a group with reflective questions. We also did some canoeing to get everyone’s excitement out it was great fun.

This is what our Champs had to say:

“My Highlights of the residential were writing my book, fun doing the tasks, priority work and banter.”

“My highlights were looking at the pictures that suited ourselves based around how we see ourselves and how we want our futures to look like, going on the walk talking about our values and canoeing.”

“My highlights were doing the little activities, working more on our priorities and the big swing.”

“My highlights were the slide, kitchen fun, trip to the takeaway and banter!”

The Director Diaries

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Kay and I’m the Assistant director of Independent Advocacy and I have been with Who Cares? Scotland since the end of June. I am still settling and finding my feet a wee bit. I am originally from Glasgow but around 11/12 years ago now I moved Orkney for a job, and I have been living in here ever since. I live with my husband, my son who is just about to turn six and I have three cats and two dogs. Bear who is a ginger tom, Luna who is a really large ginger female and Misha who is a little tabby cat. My dogs are Monty who is a miniature dachshund and Mac who is a black Labrador.

For

this issue, Kay McKerrell, brand new Assistant Director of Advocacy introduces herself (and her pets!), she tells us why a chance to work for the ‘good guys’ led her to Who Cares? Scotland, what her hopes for The Promise include and why a table full of comedians is her ideal dinner party.

You are the first Assistant Director we’ve had at Who Cares? Scotland – what does your job entail?

My job is made up of two parts. One is to free a bit of Denny’s time so he can focus on other parts of his role including participation, so I’m taking on management responsibilities for the Advocacy & Participation Managers and I’ve been given the lovely job of looking after the North, North East and South East. I’m also working to make sure our advocacy service is the best in Scotland, I’m pretty sure it already is, it’s more so everyone else knows it is the best and we can evidence that to all the local authorities and corporate parents out there.

What did you do before joining Who Cares? Scotland?

I have done quite a few things and spent a lot of time at university. I trained and qualified as a solicitor. I was studying family law and I encountered a lot of families and noticed the impact on children who were going through these processes. In Orkney I specialised in child and adult protection and became an expert in social work law, so I was mainly dealing with child protection and adult protection cases. I was also legal advisor for other legal processes that go on in the background like fostering, adoption, permanence panels, public protection committees and I was also the legal advisor to the health and social care partnership.

What made you decide to join Who Cares? Scotland?

I first came into contact with Who Cares? Scotland in my previous role as a solicitor and legal advisor. We were listening to a Care Experienced young person telling their experience of a process they’d been through where they were supported by their local advocacy worker. I have never seen a will to change like it. I just thought “wow that advocacy worker and that young person have done so much in that one moment.” When I saw the job advertised, I questioned myself ‘do I think I could do this?’ I really liked the job description and when I researched the organisation I really liked everything I found.

Bear – One eyed ginger cat

Monty, Mac and Luna.

I really fancied working for the good guys for a change, I decided if I can’t change the system from the inside maybe I’ll go outside and shout at it for a while.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? I constantly change my mind about this, I know there are many wonderful, intelligent people that I could absorb wisdom from, but I just want to have a good time if I am having a dinner party.

I would really love to have dinner with Stephen Fry and Bill Bailey. You’ve got to add a bit of class into the mix so I think I would also add some female comedians like Jo Brand and Rose Matafeo and just live it up. A table full of comedians, that would be my perfect dinner party.

What are your hopes and aspirations for the care community?

I really do hope for the aims of The Promise. My hope is that everything will be delivered by 2030.

I think its ambition is what we are looking for. I haven’t seen much evidence of it being implemented yet, but I do see the evidence that they are trying. So that would be my aspiration for the care community, that The Promise is delivered on and we get to hold people to account for keeping it and that they do keep it.

Do you have anything you’d like to say to our members?

I’m here to make sure Who Cares? Scotland is the best it can be for you, and I am totally open to hearing feedback about how that’s going.

If you think there is something I should be doing that I’m not doing, get in touch and let me know.

I want to know whether the things we try work and work for you. I especially want to know if there is something we are not doing, that you would like us to do. I am really here to give you the best experience of our organisation as possible.

If you would like to get in touch with Kay, just email membership@whocaresscotland.org or private message Who Cares? Scotland on social media with any questions or feedback.

Youth Just Us! Youth Just Us!

Kevin Lafferty

Having experiences in the justice system does not make someone a bad person

and at Youth Just Us we understand that building strong caring relationships, like the one myself and Ruth established in the early days of the project, are ones to be maintained with our young people. It’s the bedrock for them to be able to utilise the opportunities of skills development, feel confident that they are a value to society, can direct positive change in their own lives and that of their peers.

YouthJust Us are recruiting care and justice experienced people for their steering group. Here, Kevin Lafferty reflects on his experience being involved in the project.

As a young man who is Care Experienced and spent time in prison, I’ve been involved in Youth Just Us from the very beginning. While inside HMP Low Moss, it didn’t take me long to realise that the young men who were being kept there were unhappy with the way they were treated by staff, the poor facilities and the lack of support offered to engage in rehabilitation plans with professionals. Such as housing officers, benefits specialists and educational facilitators.

When I was liberated, I stared to write blogs about the injustices I had witnessed. I felt the need to raise awareness and research whether there was an actual safe space for care and justice experienced young people, between 18-25, to discuss the trauma imprisonment had put upon them and was there an avenue they could follow to influence change in the policies and procedures that had let them down.

My blogs were noticed by a youth justice participation worker, Ruth Kerracher. Ruth told me she also realised this misrepresented and excluded group, of mainly young men, were effectively shunned from democracy and disengaged from any type of participation where they might share their own opinions and wishes.

Empowerment isn’t something that is given, it’s a realisation within oneself

that you do have the capacity, capability and the self determination to solve the problems life brings.

Throughout the three years I’ve been working with Youth Just Us, I have manged to end my own homelessness, keep steady employment, deal with my mental health in a way that’s not destructive and, above all for me, I have watched other young people realise their own potential when the support is there for them to utilise it.

I have had the opportunity to use Youth Just Us as a platform to stand and voice my disgruntlement to John Swinney MSP about how I, at the age of 28, would not have been eligible to receive the Care Experienced bursary. I asked him how it was possible that during my two years of education it was assumed I was financially stable. And did that in fact mean that being Care Experienced is a time limited experience instead of being one that stays with you for life.

Later on that week, the Scottish Government announced the removal of the age cap on the bursary. It stated that my powerful explanation was crucial to the decision being made. A proud moment for myself but it just goes to prove that the experts in the care and justice systems are the people that live through it and are the ones who hold the knowledge.

At Youth Just Us we use a creative youth work approach with our group to consult on issues, such as the Children’s Care and Justice Bill that has just been released, in ways that are fun, meaningful and isn’t tokenistic for the benefit of others. We believe that young people should be rewarded for their time in whichever way they prefer. We ensure that feedback and evaluation are crucial for our young people to grow in creating positive outcome for themselves and feeling connected.

Our young people have also been involved in designing a game called ‘Nae Danger’ with No Knives, Better Lives where they constructed various scenarios, loosely based on their own experiences. They did the voiceovers for the characters and provided expertise for follow up workshops based on self-care.

This is an exciting time once again for Youth Just Us as we have now secured funding to extend the project out with the central belt and continue for three more years. We have received a commendation for our previous work from the prestigious Howard league award and believe the chances of winning this accreditation will be down to you, the young people that lead our group and influence the change that’s needed.

If you’re aged 16 – 25 with care and justice experience and are interested in joining Youth Just Us then you can email them at ruth@staf.scot or call/WhatsApp Ruth on 07940 068343. You can also follow them on Twitter @YJVScotland or find out more at www.staf.scot/youth-justice-voices.

Raising Our Voices – an Interview with a Care Experienced Opera Director

Theworld premiere of Rubble, a harrowing yet inspiring tale of a group of Care Experienced young people, told through opera saw its debut in Glasgow this July. To celebrate, Director Roxana Haines sat down with SpeakOut to discuss her experiences within the UK care system, the power of accessibility, and her mission to forge her most personal work yet.

For Roxana, a focus on accessibility is the lifeblood of her work at Scottish Opera. Working closely with the Education & Outreach department, Roxana’s heart is set on connecting with audiences who may not typically experience opera. This role can involve “access performances” which are shortened, adapted versions of classic shows including Don Giovanni, as well as new and contemporary shows. Through tailored performances, Roxana has reached audiences including those living with dementia, parents with younger children, or those with learning difficulties.

One of Roxana’s most acclaimed pieces is Fox-tot!: a story of a young, curious fox on an adventure to discover their own identity, exploring what it would be like to be a cat, a frog, or even a butterfly. In combining accessibility

During 2019’s Fox-tot! children were invited to engage physically with the performance, exploring the sets and interacting with the performers.

and art as one, Roxana and her team integrated sign language into the show’s dancing. Singers used British Sign Language (BSL) and hand gestures to naturally describe the story of Fox-tot!

“A young boy squealed with delight when he saw our performer start signing. I hadn’t realized when he came in, but he was wearing two hearing aids. He followed our performer around for the whole show!” Roxana excitedly recounts as she describes one such performance of Foxtot! “The connection this young boy felt demonstrates a joyful moment and the power that comes from opera.” The story of the young fox also held a significant, personal meaning to Roxana, which taps into her own care experience: “In the end, it didn’t matter what the young fox wanted to be, because the parent fox loved them unconditionally.

Photo credit: James Glossop

Photo credit: Sally Jubb

Roxana’s care journey began at 15 years old, involving frequent police and social work interventions. Due to the volatile nature of her family home, she would take the difficult decision to place herself in care in Bristol. In a bittersweet moment, Roxana summarizes her early experiences: “It was horrible, yet it was safer and healthier than living at home. It gave me a chance to find out what I wanted, and what I wanted to achieve. It was also the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, as it involved leaving my younger sisters back at home”

Roxana’s journey however is marked by hope, as she describes the crucial role her teachers played in her early life. Despite missing an entire school year due to the challenges of her situation and health, Roxana’s English teacher ensured she had access to a laptop to write essays, enabling her to turn her grades around dramatically. One of her most treasured memories comes from the day she moved into supported lodgings.

“The day that I moved out, the head of sixth form gave me a package that had been in the staff room. My teachers, without knowing who they were donating to, were told that one of their students was moving home and needed some things”. This package contained food, kitchen utensils, cups, plates, and a whole range of essentials that Roxana needed to live independently for the first time.

Roxana’s teachers comprised just part of a full supporting cast around her, ensuring that she had the strongest foundation possible to thrive as someone within the care system. “I didn’t get the grades I quite needed for university, but I called the admissions office and my social worker supported me to place my situation in context, allowing me to receive admission to Goldsmiths, University of London.” Her admission to the university, and the support she received to get there, highlight the crucial support that can be given to Care Experienced people to help them thrive.

“I had some amazing people that stuck by me. For those with experience of care, these people shine even brighter. There are people who find you and want to help, and these people become your family.

Roxana’s experiences have led to a unique perspective in her career. While her experiences growing up in care came with its challenges, it’s allowed the creation of a unique perspective when producing her newest shows. “Any demographic who sees the world through a lens of exclusion or trauma has a unique perspective” Roxana explains, and refers to the words of the Care Experienced and critically acclaimed poet, Lemn Sissay: Care Experience is a superpower. It’s given me compassion and empathy which I place in everything I do.

Roxana’s most personal work debuted this summer as she directly tackled the experience of those in Glasgow’s care system. Rubble is set in both the 1980s and presentday Glasgow and tells the harrowing yet inspiring tale of surviving trauma and the power of vulnerability. Set against

the backdrop of a recently destroyed children’s home, the Opera explores the characters’ memories of their time in care, showing the resilience of young people which Roxana describes as, “a hope-filled journey towards healing.”

As time goes on, Roxana begins to view her role as less of an opportunity and more of a duty. “I have a responsibility to view my position of privilege and share this story. I’ll say it loud for everyone: we need more people shouting about care experience”

Roxana currently volunteers with Who Cares? Scotland and we can’t wait to follow her journey and see where it takes her. If you’d like to keep up with Roxana’s work, you can follow her on Twitter or Instagram @RoxanaHaines!

As a Care Experienced person, I recognize that love is one of the most important rights for children.

Credit to Lemn Sissay

Valuing Volunteering

Weare thrilled to announce that Who Cares? Scotland had been awarded the Investing in Volunteers accreditation. Earlier this year, we started the process to be assessed for Investing in Volunteers, we wanted to make a public commitment to volunteers, both existing and potential, and ensure we are accountable for having highquality volunteer management.

Investing in Volunteers is a UK quality standard award. It’s an unique award as it ensures focus on volunteers and emphasises the value that an organisation places on them. To achieve this accreditation, Who Cares? Scotland was assessed against six quality areas:

Vision for volunteering

Planning for volunteers

Volunteer Inclusion

Recruiting and welcoming volunteers

Supporting volunteers

Valuing and developing volunteers

Being assessed against these 6 different areas helped us evaluate the quality of our volunteer management and involvement, prove and improve the effectiveness of our work with volunteers, and enhance our reputation of volunteer experiences. A highlight from our final assessment was:

Although new to Investing in Volunteers and the assessment journey, the organisation evidenced an impressive level of knowledge and understanding of best practice in volunteer management. This is already well embedded in the volunteer journey and the programme as a whole. What really stood out was the positive volunteering culture, and the feeling of ‘team/ family’ that shone through all interviews.

This is an amazing achievement for Who Cares? Scotland and one which we are all very proud of. It is important to us that we have a quality volunteering programme of trained, supported, and valued volunteers to ensure we have the best quality support for you, our members. The Investing in Volunteers award is the gold standard for volunteering. We couldn’t have done this without the hard work and dedication of our amazing staff and dedicated volunteers.

The assessment process provided us with a great opportunity to engage with staff and volunteers about the volunteering model and learn more of

volunteer’s experiences with us. The different aspects of the assessment have all helped us to gather valuable feedback. Which has helped us to see that we are on the right track for a fantastic volunteer experience and meaningful volunteering for all.

We are proud to have achieved this award and shown our commitment to our volunteers and we are committed to maintaining good practice in volunteering. We are dedicated to ensuring all volunteers have a positive experience with us and that we have the best people in front of our members.

who is this?

“I have never been part of such a caring organisation. I always feel appreciated.”

“I love the way we worktogether and remain focusedon why we are here.”

“Connecting with volunteers right from the word go was reassuring and welcoming.”

Volunteering Update

Wecaught up with Shaun to find out why he loves volunteering at Who Cares? Scotland, and we share how our volunteers have helped create a memorable summer for Care Experienced people.

What made you want to volunteer with Who Cares? Scotland?

I wanted to help young people to have a better future. I wanted to use my experience to help make more children’s childhoods better.

What previous experience have you had around volunteering and employment?

I had volunteered at sport events at school and at after school clubs. I got my first job after starting volunteering at Who Cares? Scotland.

What support have you received as a volunteer with Who Cares? Scotland?

I feel I have been supported to be more confident, had the opportunity to deliver activities and have better communication. My 1-2-1s have helped and I have been supported throughout my volunteering at the groups.

What training have you received as a volunteer and how do you feel this has helped?

I received different training but in particular the Child Protection training really helped me to feel more confident working with children and was helpful when I went for my first job at a soft play centre. This training helped me gain this job through my new knowledge.

What strengths/skills do you feel you have brought to your volunteering role?

I feel I bring enthusiasm, friendliness, and fun.

What benefits do you feel volunteering has had on you?

I have developed friendships through my volunteering. I have really been able to come out of my shell and grow in confidence, being able to

have the opportunity to show my potential. I have been able to develop skills for my college course and new job. I want to get into the Police and working with young people and volunteering really solidified my career path. Volunteering has helped me show my true self and has shown me what I can do. I haven’t really had any opportunities before volunteering at Who Cares? Scotland but here I can show my skills and it’s even shown me skills I didn’t know I had.

Summer Programme

Our valuable volunteers supported lots of amazing activity over the summer, including:

• Two of our brilliant Edinburgh schools team volunteers supported a summer family drop in. The aim was for Care Experienced families who were new to Who Cares? Scotland to connect with us and create belonging, fun and connection opportunities. The volunteers led on craft activities and sports day games and a great day was had by all!

• The Renfrewshire volunteers supported a wonderful day out to the zoo with the Wee Diamonds (our younger Care Experienced group) and their kinship carers, as well as a fun day go karting with the older Chill Out group.

• A fantastic Jungle adventure play session was created by our East Renfrewshire volunteers for the Mini Champs, and from the sounds of things was a roaring success!

• We had an amazing team of volunteers supporting The Street Soccer Care Cup football tournament, helping with teams who needed extra players, providing refreshments, directing guests around the area and making sure everyone who took part had fun on the day!

Volunteer Tina said: “The Care Cup was a great way to meet new Care Experienced young people from different areas across Scotland. My highlight was playing football alongside a team and encouraging them to have fun. I loved how important the event was for the young people and the smiles on their faces said it all.”

out more about volunteering with Who Cares? Scotland on our website –www.whocaresscotland.org/get-involved/volunteer

Shaun

Caitlin Raises Money for Volunteering Opportunity of a Lifetime

Caitlin

Goss, 17, from Tain took on the 1345m climb to the peak of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, on Saturday 10th September to fundraise for a lifechanging volunteering trip to Zimbabwe.

Due to travel in July 2023 with Worldwide Vets, Caitlin is raising a total of £6,500, and so far through bake sales, quiz nights, football scratch cards and a fun day she has raised around £2,500.

Caitlin said: “This trip will be a chance for me to see the world and experience different cultures. It will be a chance for me to step outside the life I know.”

The volunteering opportunity will see Caitlin stay on an African game reserve for a month, where she will be learning about horse and stable management, conservation work, rehabilitation, removing snares, boundary patrols, and caring for orphaned African elephants.

Caitlin’s love of horses started around the same time she went into residential care at age 14. Speaking of her love for horses, she said: “They’re calming and emotionally intelligent. They gave me comfort and space away from people when I needed it most. I’m so excited about the idea of getting to spend more time with them.”

Caitlin first saw the Worldwide Vets volunteering opportunity on Facebook but didn’t think it was possible for someone with care experience to go. But after speaking to staff in her unit she realised she had their support. Believing her dream could come true, she has been fundraising alongside Elaine Glen, a staff member at the children’s home she stays in who’ll be accompanying her on this trip.

Louise Hunter, CEO at Who Cares? Scotland, said: “As one of our members, we are incredibly impressed by Caitlin’s drive and determination to take part in this amazing opportunity. We think it’s so important for Care Experienced individuals to have access to these once in a lifetime adventures.

Caitlin’s commitment to fundraising to ensure she can go on this trip is admirable, and we hope people are able to donate and give her the extra help that she needs.”

We’re also wishing Caitlin all the luck on her fundraising journey and can’t wait to catch up with her after this lifechanging trip. You’ll find

Caitlin’s fundraising page here at https://gofund.me/80ce2ec8

Student Society to Lift the Lid on Care Records

Hi everyone!

My name is Sam. I’m Care Experienced and estranged, and I’ve been a member of Who Cares? Scotland for a wee while now. I’m a Business student at the University of Strathclyde, and I’m President of the Care Experienced and Estranged Students society there.

The society is a club that brings together Care Experienced and estranged students. We hold events such as nights out, fun events like going kayaking or getting together at Christmas and Easter. We also participate in things like Care Experienced Week, Estranged Students Solidarity Week, and more. We provide a safe space chatroom that has really helped us all, especially in tough times like during exams or at Christmas. I got involved with the society as I wanted to meet other likeminded Care Experienced people at university. Sometimes it can feel a bit isolating and as if we don’t belong, but the society definitely changed that for me. The society has been amazing to bring together the community and brought out a lot of confidence and leadership skills in me.

Being President of the society has also led to me becoming involved in other Care Experienced related

opportunities as well. I’ve delivered training to other student unions, and I’ve been a consultant in pieces of research aiming to improve care. I recently attended a panel discussion about the difference in care now compared to 30 years ago, where Care Experienced poet and activist Lemn Sissay spoke. He talked about accessing his records, a process I went through in 2018. It struck me how the issues he mentioned years ago were things that I felt too when I accessed my files.

organisations and people who’d like to make this happen. I would love for other Care Experienced people to be able to discuss what it was like for them, and for everyone to access the same support and help that we deserve. I’m currently still planning the workshop but would like to hear from any Care Experienced person who’d be open to sharing their experiences for the workshop - whether it would be presented in person or as a written statement is up to you.

I had decided to access mine as I was at a point in my life where I felt ready to receive answers about what happened to me. When I received my records, it was a scary and at times a really frustrating process. I was left with more questions than answers.

Since that discussion panel, I’ve had the idea for a while to create a free workshop for Care Experienced people, giving advice on how to access your files and what to expect during the process. I posted on social media about the idea and had an incredible response from different

If you’d like to share how you found the process of accessing your records, you can send me an email at samanthaupton@outlook.com or find me on Twitter @samuptonn. You can also visit the Care Experienced & Estranged Students Society on Instagram @strathcares. You can find out more about the Care Experienced and Estranged Students society, including how to join, here:

I would love for other Care Experienced people to be able to discuss what it was like for them

When I received my records, it was a scary and at times a really frustrating process

NEWSFLASH

Who Cares? Scotland’s Members’ Newsletter

Every month we send out a digital newsletter called Newsflash to our members. However, we know that not all of our members will have an email account or access to the internet. That’s why we are including a roundup of important headlines from the

Meet our new Director!

We are delighted to announce that, after a long and thorough recruitment process, Kenny Murray is our new Director of Engagement and Influence. Some of you may know Kenny as a campaigner for Care Experienced people. He will use his knowledge and skills to promote positive change for all Care Experienced people in his new role.

Recruiting New Board Members

last couple of months and sharing them again, here in SpeakOut, so you don’t miss out!

If you haven’t been receiving NewsFlash but have a working email address, just email membership@ whocaresscotland.org and we’ll update your details.

Digital Wellbeing Report Launched

We released our Digital Wellbeing Report with findings from the Digital Wellbeing Group’s Survey. This includes information and stats on digital safety, digital rights and relationships. You can find the report in the Reports & Research section of our website. These findings will be used to create useful resources to be widely shared, including posters and a podcast. We will continue to consult with Care Experienced people to ensure your voice is at the heart of what we create.

Care Experienced Parents Report Published

Throughout August, we were recruiting new Care Experienced and non-Care Experienced members to join our Board of Directors.

To reflect the diversity of those we support we particularly welcomed applications from groups who are currently underrepresented on our Board, including people from black or ethnic minority backgrounds, people with a disability or people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Applications closed on 21st August, and as always you will get to have the final say on candidates at our Members’ Assembly being held in Glasgow on Sunday 23rd October before the Love Rally. Make sure you visit our website and register so you can have your say.

We also published our new report ‘Believe in Us’: Care Experienced Parents Findings from our Annual Participation Programme. We spoke to nearly 50 Care Experienced parents about their experiences of professional supports across their parenting journeys. From the impact of discrimination to the lack of places to connect with other parents, we identified a mixed response of positive and challenging experiences.

Together, with parents and our National Representative Body, we have created 11 recommendations for change. You’ll find a link to the report on the homepage of our website.

Language and Letters An Update from SCRA

SpeakOut

caught up with Who Cares? Scotland member, Collette Gallagher for a fresh update on SCRA’s work upholding The Promise.

Hi Collette, remind us about who you are and your role in SCRA?

My role in the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) is Keeping the Promise Operation Change Lead, which means I’m responsible for making sure the changes that The Promise asks us to make will happen. I’ve been a Care Experienced member of Who Cares? Scotland since 2015 and have experience of Children’s Hearings which I believe helps me in this role and ensures I’m committed to making change happen for young people.

The idea behind the language project is that we help people to think more carefully about language and give them alternative words to use.

a toolkit in a hearing room which will have different ways to help people participate in their hearing. Some ideas include stop/go cards, emoji cards, puppets, small whiteboards, and using an etch-a-sketch but I would love to hear if anyone else has suggestions!

What made you decide to look into language?

Since our last update, what have you been working on?

My main project is looking at how we can change the language used in the hearings system. I’m working together with a group set up by the Children’s Hearing Improvement Partnership which includes people who work in education, social work, Children’s Hearings Scotland and Our Hearings, Our Voice.

It’s important that this work will be led by people with experience of hearings. The intention is to create a list of words and phrases which should be ‘put in the bin’ and no longer used in our hearings system. I’ve also been working on a communication toolkit. This was suggested to us by a group of young people to help give their views in hearings. The idea is that there will be

Young people and their families told us through The Promise that some of the words used in the care system can be stigmatising, they add to a sense of being different. Sometimes people use certain words to describe a young person’s life like ‘contact’ or ‘respite’ because they don’t know a better word to use. Even though I had experienced care and hearings as a young person when I became a Children’s Reporter, I started to use some of these words too. I didn’t stop to think about their meaning or how they might make people feel. The idea behind the language project is that we help people to think more carefully about language and give them alternative words to use.

Are there any other improvements at SCRA?

We’re also reviewing our letters which are sent out to young people and their families. We want the information that people receive to be easy to understand and we know this can be better. This won’t be something

that happens quickly, but we are committed to these improvements. We’re also going to be looking at how we arrange hearings. We want to ensure that we give young people and families choice about how they participate in their hearings based on what suits them best.

some of the words used in the care system can be stigmatising

How can members of Who Cares? Scotland get involved?

We would be delighted to speak with any members who want to find out more or how they could get involved! You can let us know, or share your views at keepingthepromise@ scra.gov.uk or email me personally at collette.gallagher@scra.gov. uk. If anyone who uses BSL wants to contact me they can use contactscotland-BSL to call me on 0131 244 8665.

I’m responsible for making sure the changes that The Promise asks us to make will happen.

Jasmin Calls for Consistency in Care Support

Communities

and the people within them can thrive when everyone in them receives the support they need when they need it. Recently, Jasmin from our National Representative Body submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling on them to extend aftercare support for previously looked after young people and to remove the age cap for continuing care services. This would help provide Care Experienced people to flourish and bring benefit to the whole community. Here, we’re going to give you a quick rundown of what a petition is, what exactly Jasmin has asked for and why.

people who had left care before the age of 16 were regularly receiving lower levels of support than their peers

What is a petition and how does it work?

Put simply, a petition is a way of asking the parliament to do something. Unfortunately, things are rarely so easy, and there are a few more steps and rules involved in submitting a petition. Since Jasmin’s petition was to the Scottish Parliament, we’ll focus on how those work here.

1. Anyone can submit a petition to the Scottish Parliament, but because the Scottish Parliament does not have full independence or the power to change laws that come with it, there are only certain issues on which petitions can be submitted to the Scottish Parliament. The issue must be devolved (in Scotland’s powers to change) and it must also be relevant to the whole of Scotland – the parliament cannot get involved in local or individual matters.

2. You also have to be able to prove that you have made other efforts to raise the issue, which is where her involvement with Who Cares? Scotland comes into play. Together, Jasmin and Who Cares? Scotland have contacted several people including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon calling for changes.

3. Once approved the petition is displayed on the Scottish Parliament’s petition’s webpage, where people can view it and sign it to show their support. A high number of signatures shows the issue is important to many people and helps give it a greater spotlight when it is debated in parliament.

4. It is then assessed by the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee who decide what to do with it - this could include disregarding it altogether, asking the Scottish Government for a written response, asking you for more evidence (perhaps in the form of speaking at a Committee meeting), ask for debate in the chamber. Who Cares? Scotland has spoken at Committee meetings several times, giving evidence on these kinds of issues.

What has Jasmin asked for and why?

Jasmin’s petition has three main asks:

• Extend aftercare provision in Scotland to ‘previously looked after’ young people who left care before their 16th birthday, on the basis of individual need.

• Extend continuing care throughout Care Experienced people’s lives, on the basis of individual need.

• Ensure Care Experienced people are able to enjoy lifelong rights and achieve equality with non-Care Experienced people. This includes ensuring that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the findings of The Promise are fully implemented in Scotland.

Having seen a close friend facing homelessness due to the breakdown a care placement and unable to receive the same support she had because they were taken off their supervision order before their 16th birthday, Jasmin was certain that something had to change. This was only one of a series occasions where she had seen a similar thing, and she noticed a theme: that people who had left care before the age of 16 were regularly receiving lower levels of support than their peers, including Jasmin herself. As she neared the end of her own time in care, Jasmin thought back to those people and decided that something had to be done.

“We have all experienced care, however, we can face different restrictions when accessing support –these inequalities must change”

Who Cares? Scotland provided Jasmin with evidence from our advocacy database, and supported with research on the topic to bolster her petition, including statistics from our Helpline (which provides lifelong advocacy) where we received over 1,100 calls, as well as citing studies

care experience does not disappear the moment a person turns 26

on the implementation of Continuing Care services. These reinforced Jasmin’s belief that progress must be made, after all, care experience does not disappear the moment a person turns 26.

“A Care Experienced person may leave care, but it does not leave them.”

Through her own efforts, and through association with Who Cares? Scotland Jasmin had contacted various politicians and decision makers regarding similar issues, including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Most of those she contacted simply referred her back to the 1000 Voices project which we had led out on, which was not much

help, and when she did get another response, difficulties around devolved powers and human rights politics saw little done.

With all of this campaigning, research and personal experience, however, Jasmin’s petition was ready to be submitted and it collected signatures throughout the month of August, ending with a total of 392. We fully support Jasmin’s asks and are eagerly awaiting response from the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee and will continue to support Jasmin through the petition process. We’ll provide updates on social media and in Newsflash.

We fully support Jasmin’s asks and are eagerly awaiting response from the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions

Care Experienced motion Passes Youth Parliament

Your Who Cares? Scotland MSYPs Charles Fernando and Oisín King deliver an update on their Scottish Youth Parliament campaigning.

Charles: Oisín and I had the opportunity to attend the first Scottish Youth Parliament sitting as MSYPs. We were very excited, and along with support worker Heather, we spent the months leading up to the sitting planning the joint motion that we were putting forward.

‘The Scottish Youth Parliament believes that, in line with the Promise, there should be dedicated mental health services for Care Experienced people where every young person in care is proactively offered mental health support that is tailored to individuals and does not have automatic end dates, allowing ongoing support into adulthood as required.’

We wanted to submit this as our first motion given the importance of mental health to the Care Experienced community. We used Who Cares? Scotland’s report ‘Tend our Light’ which surveyed 64 Care Experienced people, of all ages from across Scotland and asked them to report their experiences of accessing mental health services. The conclusions of this report formed the basis of our motion. We felt passionate about the topic ourselves as we both had personal experiences with accessing mental health support. Upon drafting the motion, we had to research cases for and against the motion. This was difficult as we knew we would face opposition from nonCare Experienced members who may not be aware of what care experience is.

On the day, Oisín and I received many positive responses from other MSYPs.

Our motion passed with 96% voting in favour.

I was very happy with the work we had put in as well as the responses we received. From here, we’ve been looking to work with an MSP to take our motion into the Scottish Parliament and potentially have it drafted into a Members’ bill.

Oisín: Our first sitting was simply amazing, connecting with likeminded people and debating on issues that face young people across Scotland. I felt instantly at ease when I started talking to other MSYPs. Turns out they were as nervous as I was! MSYPs had to attend workshops to give input on Scotland’s National Care Service which was very interesting.

It was a great sense of achievement when our motion passed by 96% giving us a clear route to initiate talks with MSPs, Civil servants and health boards. Over the summer period, things were quiet as Parliament was in recess so we took this opportunity to be proud of ourselves.

So, what are our next steps?

• We have met with Who Cares? Scotland’s Chief Executive, Louise Hunter, to chat about how best to support our motion and take things forward.

• We have an input with the Scottish Government Joint Delivery Board on Mental Health to give them an update that our motion has passed with a large majority and therefore should be taken into consideration.

• We have sent out letters to MSPs that had shown an interest at the initial stages of promoting our motion.

• We now look forward to our next sitting to see MSYPs again and to vote on their motions.

We would like to use this space to welcome any of our members to email either of us on anything you would like us to bring up to the Scottish Youth Parliament. For our next Parliament sitting in October, we will be presenting on the topic of care experience more generally to explain what it is and the different issues Care Experienced people face.

What is a Members’ Bill?

A Bill is a proposed law which is introduced to the Scottish Parliament for MSPs to vote on. A Members’ Bill can be introduced by an individual MSP even if they aren’t a Scottish Government minister (for instance, if they aren’t a member of the political party currently in power).

For the following sitting in March 2023, we would like to present another motion which comes directly from you, the membership. Please keep an eye out on our social media channels for upcoming hustings!

can find us on Twitter

You can also email us at Charles. fernando.msyp@sypmail. org.uk or Oisin.king. msyp@sypmail.org.uk

The Countdown to Care Experienced Week is On! Care

Experienced Week will take place between Sunday 23rd and Sunday 30th of October this year.

In 2018 we made the decision to start celebrating Care Experienced Week instead of Care Leavers Week because our members told us that they didn’t leave care, care left them. We also wanted to make it an inclusive celebration

The Members’ Assembly

Sunday 23rd of OctoberSt Luke’s, Glasgow, 9.30am – 12.45pm

for all Care Experienced people, regardless of age or stage. It is a week of fun, reflection and focus on what matters most within the care community. This year we will be will see the return of our in-person 3 major national events: The Members’ Assembly, The Love Rally and the Time to Shine festival. Make sure you sign up online!

The Love Rally

Sunday the 23rd of October – Glasgow Green to George Square, 1pm – 2.15pm

What’s next for Who Cares? This year’s Members’ Assembly will be a chance for members to hear what we have planned for the next 4 years. There will also be breakfast rolls and the chance to grab a banner before heading to the Love Rally.

This year the Love Rally will take place straight after the Members’ Assembly. We would love if you could make both events. We will gather at the Doulton Fountain on Glasgow Green and at 1.15pm we will march to George Square to show our commitment to achieving a lifetime of love for Care Experienced people across Scotland. At George Square we will close the event with speeches from Care Experienced speakers. There is no registration for the Love Rally but you can let us know that you are coming by clicking “attending” on our Facebook Event Page.

Time to Shine

Saturday 29th of October –SWG3 Glasgow, 12pm – 4pm

Who Cares? Scotland invites our members to travel through time and space to this year’s intergalactic Time to Shine Festival.

Show us your best moonwalk at the lunar disco where the DJ is an astronaut or you can chill out in our space pod. Grab something to eat from the galaxy food trucks or make alien slime at the arts and crafts station. Get covered in glitter and defy gravity on a giant inflatable. Catch up with old friends or meet someone new. There’s something for space explorers of all ages at Time to Shine!

Dressing up is of course optional but fully encouraged! Come as your favourite planet or Star Wars character, or wear whatever outfit you feel represents outer space.

Make a Banner for the Love Rally

With Susie Robertson

Get ready to hold your banner high as we walk for a lifetime of equality, respect and love.

Step One

Source your materials. You can use old cardboard boxes, cereal boxes or spare wallpaper you might have lying around. For the handle, I used a wooden spoon and chopsticks. Whatever you use just make sure nobody will miss it!

Step Two

Choose the shape of your banner. Outline in pencil first and then cut carefully with scissors.

Step Three

Decorate. Think of a strong message that explains why you’re marching which you’d like everyone to see as you march. Then using colour, and if you’re me, glitter - make it really eye catching so nobody will miss it!

Step Four

Secure your handle using sticky tape or parcel tape. Make sure you put some at the top and bottom of your sign so it is nice and secure.

You will need:

Cardboard

Scissors

A glue stick

Strong sticky tape

Coloured pens

Pro Tip: If you don’t have anything you can use as a handle, you can always just hold your sign up or create a sign you can wear on your body by making holes at the top and using an old shoelace or piece of string to tie it around your neck!

If you get stuck, we’ve made a How To Make a Banner video on Tik Tok which you should check out. If you share what you make on social media, we’d love to see it, so make sure you tag us. Otherwise, we’ll see you at the Love Rally!

The 2022 Street Soccer Care Cup

Thissummer I had the pleasure of organising the second Who Cares? Scotland Care Cup, hosted by Street Soccer at the Power League football pitches in Glasgow. As a charity, Street Soccer’s aims are to change the lives of children and young people by providing access to football, which is why they teamed up with us to host an all-day football tournament for over 100 players, made up of Care Experienced young people and their supporters.

It was wonderful to see eighteen teams turn up to show off their skills and compete against each other in a full day of five-a-sides. We had teams from all four corners of Scotland including East Lothian, East Ayrshire, Inverness, and Argyle. We also had a team of refugees who had never met before but have now decided to play together regularly! Some of our members attended as individuals and were put into teams with people they might not have met before. Although they arrived on their own, by the end of the day they left with new friends.

I was a little bit worried when I arrived at the Power League because there were some angry-looking rainclouds overhead but after a quick downpour, it turned into a beautiful hot sunny day and our volunteers had the suntan cream on hand to make sure no one got burnt.

When all the teams had been registered, our Director of Advocacy, Denny gave a welcome speech, then handed over to the Street Soccer coaches. They split the teams into four groups who would play each other in the morning to help the teams find their level.

We had some volunteers and staff that were jumping in and playing when needed. There was a grassy slope next to the pitches where spectators and teams not playing could relax in the sun and cheer on the players. I was impressed by the level of skill on display and the commitment players showed on the

pitch. There was a really positive atmosphere even though teams were taking the competition pretty seriously!

After the morning games ended, we tucked into sandwiches and crisps. The jam sandwiches proved to be particularly popular! In the afternoon the results of the morning session’s games were used to split the teams into new groups so that we could find a winning team from each group level. This meant that everyone had the opportunity to keep playing and they were fairly matched. The Street Soccer coaches were good at keeping everyone right and encouraging fair games.

At the end of the afternoon, it was time to announce the winners, and trophies were presented to Sparkelona, Bught Boys, Unathletica Madrid & Intertroopers. The day, of course, was about everyone involved so everyone who participated was given a medal, even me! There were also two other special awards given out to “Player of the Day” and “Superb Sportsmanship”.

After a few months of planning, it was really rewarding for me to see everyone happy and having fun. I’d like to say congratulations to everyone that showed up, tried their best, and supported their team. And thank you to Street Soccer and all our amazing staff and volunteers, without whom the day would not have been possible. I hope to see you at the next big event I am planning… swap your football boots for dancing shoes because it’s Time to Shine in October!

Susie Robertson

The Review

with Damien

Cassie and the Lights @ The Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe returned in August and for a whole month the Scottish capital was filled with performers from around the world, showing off their comedic, acting, singing or even stunting chops. Who Cares? Scotland were lucky enough to receive some free tickets to the play ‘Cassie and The Lights’ by London based theatre company Patch of Blue, so a couple of us travelled over to Edinburgh for what was my first Fringe experience.

Cassie and The Lights is based on true events and interviews with Care Experienced young people. The play tells the story of three sisters – Cassie, Tin and Kit and their experiences of care after their mum abandons them. With their lives thrown in this new direction, the siblings struggle to come to terms with the meaning of family, relationships and the care system.

A feeling present throughout is that of confusion, particularly when it comes to Tin and Kit, who are much younger than Cassie and struggle to comprehend the gravity of the changes in their lives. They seem to have a very simplistic and chaotic view of their situation. Their unwavering optimism that their mum will return, as well as their wonderment at the smallest of things, paint a realistic picture of the minds of children thrust into a situation they can’t understand.

Significantly more mature than her sisters, Cassie quickly comes to terms with the realities of their situation and struggles with her responsibilities as an older sibling looking out for the welfare of Tin and Kit. She juggles the role of sister, teenager and mother in a somewhat realistic portrayal of the additional pressures Care Experienced people can face and it clearly takes a toll on her.

In many ways, the play succeeds in painting a believable picture of the effect care experience can have on young people. Chaos is very much a part of the girls’ story and is felt by the audience as we watch the pace of change in their young lives and how quickly they grow up. The play explores the difference in wealth between the three sisters and the foster family they stay with, the complexities of the bureaucratic side of the care system they are navigating, and the cataclysmic effect care experience can have in

a short time. Grounds for some minor criticism could be that there is little outright critique or commentary on the subjects it covers. This lack of commentary is all the more strange given the decision to ask an audience member to give their opinion on a pivotal decision in the middle of the narrative which felt a little out of place. That said, the experience is clearly shown to be difficult, and it is easy to empathise with the characters, so though it would be welcome, the lack of commentary does not stop this being a worthwhile watch. Overall, the piece is solid. It provides a believable and entertaining story of what care experience may be like for some people, with some accurate scenarios and even some little bits of humour. Though it could do with a more streamlined story and some deeper critical focus, ultimately what it gives is more than enough to entertain for an hour or so and to make a good first impression of my first ever Fringe.

JUST FOR FUN…

WORDSEARCH AUTUMNJUMBO

Can you find all 24 words that relate to the season of Autumn? n c x v a m p i r e b h m d y v l u b s c e u f i r e w o r k d c l t k o c t o b e r q a n f l o r d s r j b w l p h c k e e b l o o s n k d c r i s p r x i l o h e r i f n o b c h a n g e w u c i h n r m s l e a v e s m e r v a o e a u t u m n f e l w u s c a r e c r o w d h z i y n r b r y e w d h o l u e k s p i e k u r g o d x b t g h o p c k l h n x n l u i o s r c r i s p k n c g a l p d b o o i s e l m r w h o h a v m c h i l l y p u a w i t c h e v a g m k l u f p p z u a p p l e s e k r i w b j s

OFFICE:

Street,